Set Your Sights on 10 European Design Hotels for $250 or Less

New year, new goals — including saving money and traveling more. Ever at odds with one another, the best way to accomplish both is by finding a good-looking, wallet-friendly hotel. Cities throughout Europe are capitalizing on affordable luxuries — we're talking less than $250 a night for a such gems as a tranquil seaside retreat with a self-published indie magazine, and a Parisian boutique hotel that served as the private estate of Toulouse-Lautrec.

Grand Pigalle Hotel

Location: Paris, France
Atmosphere: Located in the 9th arrondissement, the 37-room hotel and wine bar was once home to French artist Toulouse-Lautrec. Channeling the neighborhood's bohemian spirit, the charming and petite rooms have original molding, fireplaces, aged and texture wallpaper, and brass details.
Perks: Founded by the trio of childhood friends behind The Experimental Cocktail Club, a very trendy bar on the first floor serving wild cocktails and a vast collection of Italian wines.
Check in: Book a Room

Boundary

Location: London, England
Atmosphere: In tribute to surrounding Shoreditch, the building's architecture melds old with new. The neglected Victorian warehouse has been restored to its former glory; there's also a modern wing made of copper, steel, and glass. Each of the twelve guest rooms are inspired by a legendary designer or design movement, like Eames and Bauhaus.
Perks: Filled with lemon, clementine, and calamondin trees, the heated rooftop garden and orangery is a popular spot for cocktails and Mediterranean bites.
Check in: Book a Room

Praktik Metropol Madrid

Location: Madrid, Spain
Atmosphere: Overlooking Madrid's ornate Gran Vía, the immaculately restored hotel is located in walking distance to the city's top theaters, cinemas, and shops. Scandinavian touches like bright white linens, avant-garde lighting fixtures, and wood accents compliment original details in each of the 71 guest rooms.
Perks: Head to the ninth floor open-air rooftop terrace for unobstructed views of the city.
Check in: Book a Room

Memmo Alfama

Location: Lisbon, Portugal
Atmosphere: The first boutique hotel in the city's historic district has magnificent views overlooking Alfama and the Tagus river. In place of a traditional front desk, guests enter the hotel through a cozy living room with a selection of books available for borrowing. Guest rooms are minimally decorated with bright white linens, wood accents, and minibars stocked with Portuguese drinks and snacks.
Perks: Explore the city from a seat on its famous yellow tram "28" — there's a stop just down the street.
Check in: Book a Room

Casa Mae

Location: Lagos, Portugal
Atmosphere: For good living and Portuguese tranquilidade, head to the 22-room boutique hotel. A 19th-century family home sits alongside a new minimalist building with terra-cotta flooring and traditional wooden reixa on the façade. A self-published design magazine, curated artisan boutique, and open-kitchen restaurant make it more than just a place to lay your head at night.
Perks: The region's temperate climate means sunbathing on the calm, sandy beaches is practically a mandate for nine months of the year.
Check in: Book a Room

The Hoxton Amsterdam

Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Atmosphere: Made up of five canal houses, the building was home to Amsterdam's mayor in the 17th century. Today, the 111-room hotel has top-notch canal views from either side of the building and contemporary interiors with plenty of historical details.
Perks: You won't want for good food — Lotti's, the lively downstairs restaurant, is run in partnership with Soho House & Co, and a free breakfast bag filled with granola, yogurt, a banana, and fresh orange juice is available to guests each morning.
Check in: Book a Room

C-Hotel & Spa

Location: Cassago Brianza, Italy
Atmosphere: A sleek and minimalist family-run retreat in the hills of Lake Como. Each of the elegant eighteen suites were designed according to the principles of bio-architecture and include soundproofing, floor and wall heating, and the ability to control the room temperature.
Perks: Colzani, the onsite confectionary shop, has been making mouthwatering treats with local, seasonal ingredients for more than 30 years.
Check in: Book a Room

San Giorgio Mykonos

Location: Mykonos, Greece
Atmosphere: Lap up the bohemian-luxe look — from the white-washed exterior of the buildings to the organic materials used in the simply-designed 32 guest rooms. Spend your days lounging by the crystal blue swimming pool or take advantage of the nearby beaches.
Perks: Get your Netflix fill before arriving, guest rooms don't have televisions. We promise this is a good thing.
Check in: Book a Room

Hotel Daniel

Location: Vienna, Austria
Atmosphere: A 116-room retreat just fifteen minutes from the city center. Light and airy interiors come with a host of smart, convenient amenities like an onsite bakery with one of the best breakfast buffets in Vienna, free WiFi, Vespas and bicycles for rent, and an ATM machine.
Perks: Book a panorama room if you like the idea of chilling out in an in-room hammock.
Check in: Book a Room

Milu Hotel

Location: Florence, Italy
Atmosphere: Previously a private row of residences belonging to numerous aristocratic and bourgeois families, the restored 15th-century Neoclassical building has been transformed into a 22-room boutique hotel in the heart of Florence's fashion and design district. Rooms are filled with Italian-made furniture, lighting, and design pieces, and each have a distinct color palette. Perks: A thoughtfully-selected array of international artwork is on display throughout the hotel and available for guests to buy.
Check in: Book a Room

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